Types of Membership

Regular Membership

Regular Members are national dental associations, which are recognized by the FDI as principal associations and significant representatives of the legal and certified dental profession in their own countries and which have fulfilled the requirements of membership. Membership of the association should be open to all dentists in the country and the association’s missions and goals should be in line with those of FDI.

In countries with more than one national dental association, Regular Membership may be granted to more than one national dental association from the same country, provided a National Committee is agreed and maintained. Otherwise, only one national dental association can be the Regular Member of that country. Applications from other national dental associations from the same country will be referred to Associate Membership.

Regular Membership Benefits

The right of representation by Delegates and Alternates in the General Assembly based on membership.

Delegates will have the right to speak and vote. Alternates will have the right to speak.

The right to nominate members for election to all positions within FDI.

The right to approve the nomination of their members for election to positions in FDI.

The right to use the FDI logo as prescribed.

The right to attend Congresses and other programmes of FDI under conditions designated by the Council.

The right to receive other membership benefits as designated by the Council.

The right to receive information about FDI and FDI programmes through the publications and other media of the Regular and Associate Members.

The right to be eligible for election to the FDI Council and Committees.

Associate Membership

Associate Members are national dental associations which are recognized by FDI as significant representatives of the legal and certified dental profession in their own countries and which have fulfilled the requirements of membership but for reasons acceptable to FDI, do not wish to hold regular membership. This category of membership is not open to associations that are the sole representative national dental associations in that country. Such associations belong to the category of Regular Members. Membership of the association should be open to all dentists in the country and the association’s missions should be in line with those of FDI.

Associate Membership Benefits

The right of attendance of one representative to the General Assembly with the right to speak, but without the right to vote.

The right to attend the Congresses and other programmes of FDI under conditions designated by the Council.

The right to receive other membership benefits as designated by the Council.

The right to receive information about FDI and its programmes through publications and other media of the Regular and Associate Members.

The right to be eligible for election to the FDI Council and Committees.

The use of the FDI logo as prescribed.

Affiliate Membership

Affiliate Members are not-for-profit international dental associations representing dental organizations whose missions are in line with those of FDI. Affiliate Members must be able to demonstrate that they have significant international membership and interests, that membership is open to all qualifying organizations from all countries and that they provide services, programmes or resources to their member organizations. This category is for organizations primarily representing dentists and not for industry or commercial organizations or for organizations representing members with commercial interests.

Affiliate Membership Benefits

The right of attendance of one representative to the General Assembly with the right to speak but without the right to vote.

At least one meeting annually with representatives from the FDI Council and senior staff.

The use of the FDI logo as prescribed.

Supporting Membership

Supporting Members of FDI are not-for-profit international organizations and national organizations with an international role, which have objectives in, or are related to, the field of dentistry. Supporting Members have direct or indirect involvement in the dental profession and with members of the dental team, but do not qualify for one of the above membership categories. The organization’s missions should be in line with those of FDI.

Supporting Membership Benefits

The right of attendance of one representative to the General Assembly without the automatic right to speak or the right to vote.

At least one meeting annually with representatives from the FDI Council and senior staff.

The use of the FDI logo as prescribed.

Individual Membership

In 2001, the FDI General Assembly made a ruling which states that if a person is a member of any Regular or Associate Member Associations of the FDI, he or she is automatically an individual member of FDI.